Button assembly apparatus

ABSTRACT

A button assembly apparatus including a die assembly having two die members movable between an open and closed position. The die members include means for applying a covering on a button shell upon closing of the die members. Upon closing the die members a second time, selectively positionable means render the die members suitable for assembling the covered shell to a body member to complete the button.

United States Patent Roebuck 1 Feb. 22, 1972 [54] BUTTON ASSEMBLY APPARATUS 371,379 10/1887 Sheridan ..79/5

' 772,669 10/1904 Phelps Invent La 1,717,113 6/1929 Michael ..79/5 [73] Assignee: First National Bank in Peru Primary Examiner--Granville Y. Custer, Jr. [22] Flled: 1970 Attorney-Rummler& Snow 21 A 1. No.: 63 125 I 1 pp 57] ABSTRACT 521 US. Cl ..79/s A bum)" assemb'y aPPa'amS including a die assembly having [5 1] Int Cl. u 7 A44) 06 two die members movable between an open and closed posi- 58] Field of Search N 79/4 5 tion. The die members include means for applying a covering on a button she p closing of the die members. p clos ing the die members a second time, selectively positionable [56] Rem-em Cited means render the die members suitable for assembling the UNITED STATES PATENTS covered shell to a body member to complete the button.

360,367 3/1887 Warner ..79/5 11 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 2 2 I972 SHEET 1 OF 4 //v VE/V 70/? MAL 00w ,1. ROEBUCK PATENTEDFEB 2 2 I972 SHEET 2 BF 4 v ill M F 0% +1 ww E n V U W m w 3 m 3 m m Eff; 5

PAIENTEDFEB22 I972 SHEET 3 OF A //V VENTOR MA L COLM J. ROEBUCK BY EFL-g5 PATENTEDFEB 2 2 1912 SHEET M [IF A NW Q Q H IN VE N 70/? MAI. COM J. ROEBUCK BUTTON ASSEMBLY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a button forming apparatus and more particularly to a new and improved button assembly apparatus.

Buttons of the type with which the apparatus of the present invention is intended to be used generally include a body or disklike member to which there is attached an outer shell. The shell is usually covered by a decorative material such as fabric, paper or the like. These buttons may also be used as identification badges or medallions having the wearers photo retained thereon and covered by a suitable transparent covering. The body member includes a clasp or the like for attachment to the wearers garment.

Under some circumstances, the button may be used as a medallion or commemorative souvenir. The medallion may have a body member in the form of a mirror. Such items are intended to be included within the definition of the term button" as used herein.

Heretofore, buttons of the foregoing type have been assembled with die assemblies requiring either two sets of dies or a die set including three die members. In the three member die set, one of the die members is common to the other two. The other two are required to be selectively repositioned for alignment with the common die member for performing different operations. These operations generally include covering the shell with covering in one die member and the subsequent attachment of the covered shell to the button body member in the other die member.

The prior apparatus was generally quite cumbersome and time consuming to operate. Moreover, because of the necessity for at least three or more die members, the apparatus was expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By the present invention, it is proposed to provide a button assembly apparatus which overcomes the difficulties encountered heretofore.

This is accomplished generally by the provision of a button assembly apparatus comprising a die assembly including a first die member and a second die member. The first and second die members are mounted for reciprocable movement between an open and closed position. The first die member includes an axial punch having a blanking ring slidably disposed thereabout for lengthwise movement. A first blanking sleeve for coacting with the blanking ring is slidably disposed about an axial anvil on the other die member. The lengthwise movement of the first blanking ring relative to the punch is limited by a first stop means and the lengthwise movement of the second blanking sleeve on the anvil is limited by a second stop means.

The first and second stop means are each selectively positionable so that in the first of a sequence of two closing positions, the two die members perform different functions. In the first of these positions, the material to be covered about the shell is blanked from a strip and brought about the shell in covering relationship when the die members are closed. In the second position, the shell, including the covering, is crimped to the body member or disk which is inserted in the apparatus when the die members are open and prior to closing the die members a second time.

The die members may be actuated by a hand operated press arrangement including linkages arranged to provide a maximum mechanical advantage.

The die members may include a locating pin floatingly supported therein. The locating pin is disposed to align with the center of the shell when the latter is inserted therein. This makes it possible to more easily locate photographs or the like in the desired location on the shell.

A further feature of the apparatus resides in means for ejecting the completely assembled button from the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a button assembling apparatus embodying the structure of the present invention with the apparatus shown in the open position.

FIG. 1A is a view similar to FIG. I but showing the components of the apparatus in a position intermediate the open and closed positions.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus in the open position.

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the apparatus with the components shown in the closed position for applying a covering on the button shell.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly taken generally along the lines 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 and showing the upper face of the lower die member.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 2 and showing the face of the upper die member.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 2 and showing in particular the blanking rings disposed about the punch.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 2 and showing in particular the blanking and crimping sleeve disposed. about the anvil and the stop means for limiting the downward movement of the sleeve.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the upper die member.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the lower die member with some of the anvil broken away to show details of blanking ring stop arrangement.

FIG. 10 is fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of the apparatus and showing the: mechanism for actuating the ejector pin for removing the assembled button from the die members.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the die assembly in the open position thereof prior to applying a covering on the shell of the button.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the die assembly in the closed position with the covering applied on the shell.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the die assembly in the open position prior to assembling the covered shell to the disk or body member.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the die assembly in the closed position with the covered shell crimped to the body member.

FIGS. 15 and 15A are top and bottom perspective views respectively of a button assembled by the apparatus and showing one type of indicia which may appear on the cover.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the button taken generally along the lines l6 16 of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17 and 17A are perspective views of the top and bottom respectively of a button having :a covering including a photograph underlying a transparent sheet material.

FIGS. 18 and 18A are perspective views of the top and bottom respectively of a button which is modified to provide a mirror in the body member.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the elements used to form the buttons of FIG. 15-!7A.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of components used to form the mirror body shown in FIG. 18.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a button assembling apparatus 10 embodying the structure of the present invention. The apparatus 10 is intended for use in assembling buttons of the general type shown in FIGS. 15-20 inclusive.

As shown, the button 11 of FIGS. 15, 15A and 16 comprises an outer shell 12 having a covering 13 and a disk or body member 14 having a fastening member in the form of a safety pin 16. The shell 12 may be made from a thin gauge sheet metal and is formed with a slightly domed top 17 bounded by a generally downwardly depending flange 18.

As shown in FIG. 19, the outer surface of the shell 12 is covered with the covering 13 which may be paper, plastic, fabric or the like. The covering 13 may have a decorative design or other suitable indicia as shown in FIGS. 15 and 15A.

Alternatively, a covering 19 may be dual layered as shown for example in FIGS. 17 and 17A. The underlying material may be a photograph 21 or the like which may be covered with a transparent material such as a plastic film or sheet material 22.

The shell in both forms illustrated in FIGS. 15, 15A and 16, 16A is fastened to the disk 14. The disk 14 is made from a sheet metal as by stamping. The disk 14 terminates in a generally outwardly inclined flange 23 which serves to grip the covering 13 extending over the inner surface of the cover flange 18 as shown. To further assist in the gripping action, the cover flange 18 is crimped or clinched inwardly into engagement with the outwardly inclined disk flange 23. The pin 16 for fastening the button to a garment or the like extends through a pair of spaced openings 24 as shown in FIG. 16.

Alternatively, a disk arrangement 25 as shown in FIGS. 18, 18A and for using the button as a mirror may also be used. This is accomplished by providing an outer rim member 26 having an outwardly inclined flange 27 projecting from an annular rim 28 on which there is seated a mirror 30. For cushioning the mounting of the mirror on the outer shell 12, a resilient washer 29 is disposed between the inner surface of the mirror and the top 17 of the shell 12. The mirror modified disk arrangement is fastened to the shell 12 in the same manner as described heretofore in connection with the buttons of FIGS. 15-16. The outwardly inclined flange 27 of the rim 26 is seated within the cover depending flange 18 to grip the covering 13 therebetween. The covering 13 may be either single or multilayered as discussed in connection with FIGS. 15-20.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-14, the apparatus 10 for assembling the foregoing buttons comprises generally a frame 31 having a base 32 and a head assembly 33.

Mounted on the frame 31 is a die assembly 34, including an upper or first die member or subassembly and an axially aligned lower or second die member or subassembly 36. The first die subassembly 35 is fastened to the head 33 for movement therewith. The second die subassembly 36 is mounted on the base 32. The first and second die subassemblies 35 and 36 are constructed so that the covering may be applied to the outer shell and the shell and covering attached to the disk in two sequential closing strokes of the head 33 as more fully to be explained hereafter.

As shown, the head 33 includes a vertical shaft 37 which is journaled in a bushing 38 fixed to a plate 39 supported at the upper end of frame posts 41. Normally biasing the shaft 37 upwardly is a compression spring 42 of which the lower end is disposed within a retainer sleeve 43 fixed to the upper end of the bushing 38. At the upper end, the spring 42 abuts a stop collar 44. Threaded into the upper end of the shaft 37 is a clevis 46 having a pivot stud 47 on which there is turnably mounted one end of an actuating arm 48. The actuating arm 48 is turnably supported intennediate its ends on a trunnion 49 extending through a block 50 carried at the upper ends of transversely spaced support bars 51-51 which are pivotally connected by means of pivot studs 52 to the bushing 38. Projecting upwardly from the arm 48 is an actuating handle 53.

For adjusting the length of travel of the shaft 51, the actuating arm 48 is formed with an elongate slot 54 which receives the trunnion 49 carried by the support bars 51. Thus, by shifting the position of the trunnion 49 within the slot 54, the length of travel of the lower end of the shaft 37 may be adjusted.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 8 and 11-14, the upper die subassembly 35 includes an upper punch 55 which is suitably fastened as by threading or a force fit to the lower end of the shaft 37. The upper punch 55 includes an annular ledge 56 formed along the upper end thereof.

Concentric with and slidable about the punch 55 is an upper or first blanking ring 57. The blanking ring 57 includes a cutting edge 60 along the lower outer periphery and an upper ledge 58. Holding the ring 57 on the punch 55 are a plurality of radially extending and angularly spaced pins 59 seated in the ledge 57. The inner ends of the pins 59 project into elon gate horizontally disposed slots 61 formed in the periphery of the punch 55. Communicating with oneend of the horizontal slots 61 are vertical slots 62 of a width adequate to accommodate the ends of pins 59. When the pins 59 are aligned with the vertical slots 62, stop pins 63 fixed on the ledge 58 are aligned with pins accommodating openings 64 in the ledge 56 so that the ring 57 may be displaced upwardly for reasons which will be more fully explained hereinafter. Normally biasing the ring downwardly and thereby the pins into the horizontal slots 61 are compression springs 66 which are each fixed at one end to the punch ledge 56 and abut against the ring ledge 58 at the other end. For turning the blanking ring 57 relative to the punch 55, a knob 67 is rigidly connected to the ring. The blanking ring 57 is tumable to the limits of the length of the horizontal slots 61. When turned to the end of the slot 61 opposite to the end communicating with the vertical slot 62, the stop pins 63 are out of alignment with the stop pin opening 64 so that the vertical movement of the ring 57 and the punch 55 is only negligible as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Disposed within a bushing 37A fixed to the lower end of the shaft is a center locating pin 68. The locating pin 68 includes a head 69 which is accommodated within the bore 70 in the lower end of the shaft 37.

The lower or second die subassembly 36 as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 11-14 includes an anvil 71 which is axially aligned with the upper punch 55 and fixed to the base 32. Turnably disposed about the anvil 71 is a stop ring 72 having a plurality of angularly spaced and upwardly projecting stop pins 73 fixed thereto. Disposed between the stop pins 73 are a plurality of angularly spaced compression springs 74 of which the lower ends extend through elongated slots 75 to abut against the underside of a combination blanking and crimping or clinching sleeve 76. The springs 74 disposed in the elongated slots 75 thus limit the turning of the ring 72 between two positions when the ends of the slot 75 abut the springs 74. In one limit position of the plate 72, the stop pins 73 are in alignment with pin sockets 77. The blanking and crimping sleeve 76 is thus slidable into abutting relations with the stop ring 72 as shown in FIG. 12. In the other position, the pins 73 are out of alignment with the sockets 77 so that the blanking and crimping die 76 is movable downwardly only between the position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The ring may be provided with a projecting actuating knob 78 for turning the former between the limit positions. The rotation of the ring 72 may also be limited by limit pins 78A and 78B fixed to the base for engagement with the knob 78.

The blanking and crimping member 76 is formed with an axial bore 79 which accommodates the anvil 71 therein. The bore 79 at its upper end merges with a cavity 81 of larger diameter than the bore 79. Located at the juncture of the bore 79 and cavity 81 is an annular shoulder 82 which engages an annular face 83 on the upper blanking die ring. The inner edge of the annular face 83 defining the cavity is sharpened so as to provide cutting edges for severing a blank B from a strip of covering material C.

To provide a seat for the shell, the shoulder 82 is cutaway along the inner edge to provide a concave recess 86. The concave recess 86 is of slightly larger diameter than the flange 18 of the shell 13.

In operation, the stop ring 72 is located so that the lower stop pins 73 are in alignment with the sockets 77 while the upper stop pins 63 are disposed out of alignment with the openings 64. With this stop arrangement, the blanking and crimping sleeve 76 is vertically movable on the anvil 71 while the upper blanking ring 57 is restricted against vertical move ment on the punch 55.

A shell 13 is placed in the annular concave recess 86 with flange 18 extending downwardly and a strip of covering material C is placed on the upper surface of the blanking and crimping sleeve 76.

As heretofore explained, the covering may be a decorative paper, plastic or the like, or it may be transparent to cover underlying matter such as photographs which are placed on the top 17 of the shell 13. To this end, the locating pin 68 may be brought downwardly by actuation of the handle 53 so as to locate the center of the shell top 17 and assist in the location of the photograph or the like. Of course this procedure is carried out prior to placing the covering material on the die members.

Thereafter the upwardly biased actuating handle 53 is depressed downwardly so that the upper and lower die members 35 and 36 assume the closed position shown in FIG. 12. Upon initial engagement of the upper blanking member 55 with the strip of covering material C, the lower blanking member is moved downwardly against the force of the compression springs 74. When the force of the compression springs 74 exert sufficient upward force, the covering material C is severed at the cutting edges 83 and 60 to cut out a blank B. The blank B thus is displaced downwardly into overlying relationship with the shell 13. As the upper end and lower die members continue to the completely closed position, the anvil 7! projects above the annular recess 86 and forces the shell 13 upwardly and at the same time withdraws the cut blank B from between the shoulder 82 to the position shown in FIG. 12. In this position, the shell 13 with the blank B of covering overlying the top shell 17 and depending along the flange 18 is retained in the cavity 91 provided by the blanking ring 57.

The covering material and shell remain within the cavity 91 as the head 33 returns to the fully open position shown in FIG. 13. The blanking ring 57 is then turned so that the stop pins 63 are aligned with the openings 64. At the same time, the lower stop ring 72 is turned so that the stop pins 73 are out of alignment with the openings 77 in the blanking and crimping sleeve 76. Thus, the upper blanking die 57 is slidable on the punch 55 while the lower blanking and crimping die 76 is restricted against downward movement on the anvil 71.

A body member 14 having a clasp 16 is then inserted in the bore 79 and supported on the anvil 71. Alternatively, a rim and mirror assembly 25 may be placed on the anvil 71 with a resilient washer positioned thereover if it is desired to form a medallion having a mirror.

The apparatus handle 53 is then brought downwardly. whereupon, as the shell annular flange l8 strikes the upper surface of the immovable blanking and crimping die 76, the upper blanking member 57 moves upwardly on the punch 55. This causes the shell 13 with the covering material blank B to be transferred downwardly into the cavity 79 and on to the upwardly projecting rim 23 of the disk 14. As the cover blank B and shell 13 are brought into engagement, the edge of the rim 23 engages the portion of the blank B projecting beyond the flange 13 and turns the latter upwardly about the inner face thereof. This causes the covering to be clamped between the rim 23 and the flange 18. Further downward movement causes the flange 13 to be bent inwardly in the annular concave seat 86 and tightly crimped or clinched to the rim 23 with the covering securely clamped therebetween.

Extending through an axial opening 87 in the anvil 71 is an ejecting pin 38 having a head 89 at one end. The head 99 is normally disposed within a cavity 91 in the upper end of the anvil. The other end of the pin is engageable with a lever carried by a shaft 93 mounted on the underside of the base as shown in FIG. 10. The shaft 93 is journaled in blocks 94. The other end of the shaft 93 extends beyond the base and has an operating handle 96 fixed thereto. Connected between one end of the lever 92 and the base is a spring 97. The spring 97 serves to normally bias the lever out of engagement with the ejecting pin 88. Thus, to eject the completed button out of the lower die, the handle is turned to overcome the force of the pin. The ejecting pin then engages and lifts the ejecting pin 88 and lifts the button out of the cavity. Upon release of the handle 96, the spring 97 is operative to move the lever 92 out of engagement with the ejecting pin 88 :so that it drops to the position shown in FIGS. 11-14.

I claim:

1. A button assembly apparatus for initially assembling a cover to a shell and subsequently assembling the cover shell to a body member, said apparatus comprising a pair of axially aligned die members movable between an open and closed position; said first die member including an axial punch and a blanking ring slidably disposed for lengthwise movement on said punch, and stop means for limiting lengthwise movement of said blanking ring on said punch; said second die member including an anvil and a blanking and clinching sleeve mounted for lengthwise movement on said anvil, and second stop means for limiting lengthwise movement of said blanking and clinching sleeve on said anvil; and means for shifting said first and second stop means to a first position whereby when said die members are closed, a shell is covered by a covering material blanked from a strip of material by said blank ring coacting with said blanking sleeve and to a second position whereby said shell, including said covering thereon, is clinched upon the next following closure of said die members.

2. The invention as defined in claim ll wherein said first stop means is turnable to two limit positions about said punch in one position of which positions said second stop means restricts lengthwise movement of said] blanking ring of said punch means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said second stop means is turnable to two limit positions about said anvil in one position of which said second stop means restricts lengthwise movement of said blanking and crimping sleeve on said anvil.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said first stop means and second stop means are disposed in opposite limit positions so that said blanking ring is lengthwise movable when said blanking and crimping sleeve is restricted against movement and conversely so that said blanking ring is restricted against movement when said blanking ring is lengthwise movable on said punch.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said blanking ring is spring biased on said punch to an extended position so that the free end of said punch is disposed inwardly of the free end of said blanking ring.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said blanking and crimping sleeve is spring biased on said anvil to an extended position so that the free end of said anvil is disposed inwardly of the free end of said blanking and crimping sleeve.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said first stop means is located to restrict lengthwise movement of said blanking ring, and said second stop means is located to permit lengthwise movement of said blanking and crimping sleeve so that a shell supported in said blanking and crimping sleeve is covered with a blank severed from a strip of covering material and said anvil is operative to transfer said covered shell into said blanking ring.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said first stop means is located to permit lengthwise movement of said blanking ring and said second stop means is located to restrict lengthwise movement of said blanking and crimping sleeve,

said punch being operative during closing of said die members to transfer said covered shell from said blanking ring to said blanking and crimping sleeve for assembly with a body member supported on said anvil.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said blanking and crimping sleeve includes an annular recess along the inner periphery thereof for supporting the shell.

10. The invention as defined in claim I wherein said first die member includes means for locating the center of a shell supported on the second die member.

11. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said second die member includes means for ejecting a completely assembled button therefrom. 

1. A button assembly apparatus for initially assembling a cover to a shell and subsequently assembling the cover shell to a body member, said apparatus comprising a pair of axially aligned die members movable between an open and closed position; said first die member including an axial punch and a blanking ring slidably disposed for lengthwise movement on said punch, and stop means for limiting lengthwise movement of said blanking ring on said punch; said second die member including an anvil and a blanking and clinching sleeve mounted for lengthwise movement on said anvil, and second stop means for limiting lengthwise movement of said blanking and clinching sleeve on said anvil; and means for shifting said first and second stop means to a first position whereby when said die members are closed, a shell is covered by a covering material blanked from a strip of material by said blank ring coacting with said blanking sleeve and to a second position whereby said shell, including said covering thereon, is clinched upon the next following closure of said die members.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first stop means is turnable to two limit positions about said punch in one position of which positions said second stop means restricts lengthwise movement of said blanking ring of said punch means.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said second stop means is turnable to two limit positions about said anvil in one position of which said second stop means restricts lengthwise movement of said blanking and crimping sleeve on said anvil.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said first stop means and second stop means are disposed in opposite limit positions so that said blanking ring is lengthwise movable when said blanking and crimping sleeve is restricted against movement and conversely so that said blanking ring is restricted against movement when said blanking ring is lengthwise movable on said punch.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said blanking ring is spring biased on said punch to an extended position so that the free end of said punch is disposed inwardly of the free end of said blanking ring.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said blanking and crimping sleeve is spring biased on said anvil to an extended position so that the free end of said anvil is disposed inwardly of the free end of said blanking and crimping sleeve.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said first stop means is located to restrict lengthwise movement of said blanking ring, and said second stop means is located to permit lengthwise movemenT of said blanking and crimping sleeve so that a shell supported in said blanking and crimping sleeve is covered with a blank severed from a strip of covering material and said anvil is operative to transfer said covered shell into said blanking ring.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said first stop means is located to permit lengthwise movement of said blanking ring and said second stop means is located to restrict lengthwise movement of said blanking and crimping sleeve, said punch being operative during closing of said die members to transfer said covered shell from said blanking ring to said blanking and crimping sleeve for assembly with a body member supported on said anvil.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said blanking and crimping sleeve includes an annular recess along the inner periphery thereof for supporting the shell.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first die member includes means for locating the center of a shell supported on the second die member.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said second die member includes means for ejecting a completely assembled button therefrom. 